Landlords / Our Services

Designed for landlords who prefer to manage their own property and be in direct contact with their tenants. We market the property, identify suitable tenants and make recommendations to the landlord. Once a tenant has been accepted by the landlord, we carry out comprehensive referencing. Assuming satisfactory replies have been received, we prepare a tenancy agreement for signature by both parties.

 

Prior to the start of the tenancy we collect one month’s rent in advance and a deposit (normally equal to one and a half month’s rent), which is held as security against repairs or cleaning required at the end of the tenancy or any monies outstanding (see page 9). If Dorset Lettings hold the deposit it is held in a separate client account and registered with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

 

Once funds clear, the balance of the rent, after our fees plus VAT have been deducted, is paid to the landlord. We also make arrangements for subsequent rent payments to be made direct to the landlord.

 

It is the landlord’s responsibility to arrange the check-in.  We recommend that a professionally prepared inventory and/or schedule of condition is used (see page 10). This can be arranged by Dorset Lettings. The landlord is also responsible for the management of the tenancy and the liaison with the tenant during the course of the tenancy.

 

N.B. It is a legal requirement for the landlord to provide an Energy Performance Certificate. This must be available before the property is marketed. Again this can be arranged by Dorset Lettings.

 

For landlords who live locally and prefer to manage the tenancy and property maintenance themselves but would rather not get involved in the collection of rent or any financial matters arising. We provide the same service as for Tenant Finding Only but also deal with all aspects of the collection of rent during the tenancy. This includes chasing any late payments.

 

After the initial month’s payment, the tenant is normally expected to pay rent monthly in advance on the 1st day of the month (an adjusted payment is made for the balance of month two, if the tenancy does not start on the 1st day of the month). Once funds clear, we deduct our monthly commission plus VAT and pay the balance to the landlord by the 14th day of the month. A statement of account is sent to the landlord at the same time.

 

This service includes marketing the property, finding a suitable tenant and collection of rent (services 1 and 2), plus management of the tenancy and property maintenance.

 

We send a statement to the landlord by the 21st of each month, having made deductions from the rent collected for any maintenance costs and our commission plus VAT. At the start of the tenancy, where more than one month’s rent in advance is taken, we hold a float (normally one month’s rent) to cover any day-to-day repairs and maintenance. We account for the balance to the landlord shortly after the start of the tenancy.

 

Rent Guarantee is available to all landlords (subject to status) by separate arrangement.

 

Although the majority of our lets are for a minimum of six months, whatever the level of service, we also handle short-term winter lets (for up to 8 months) for owners who offer holiday lets during the summer.